[3] The Japanese came to realize that if they wanted to exploit the nation's resources, they would have to give something back to the people in return, especially given the repressive nature of the occupation regime.
The administration therefore decided to work with prominent Indonesian nationalists, including Sukarno - who the Japanese freed from the exile imposed by the Dutch - and Mohammed Hatta.
The Japanese promised self-government in the future, and established a nationalist organization called Centre of People's Power (Indonesian: Poesat Tenaga Rakyat, Poetra (old spelling) Pusat Tenaga Rakyat, Putra (current spelling), Japanese: 民衆総力結集運動, romanized: minshū sōryoku kesshū undō).
[4][5] The Central Advisory Council was even less powerful than the pre-war body set up by the Dutch, the Volksraad, as it was not allowed to criticize the government.
Prominent members included Sukarno, Hatta, Ki Hajar Dewantara, Mas Mansoer and Rajiman Wediodiningrat.
[11] After this session, on November 10, a delegation from the Central Advisory Council comprising Sukarno, Hatta and Bagoes Hadikoesoemo left for Tokyo.
[12][13] This session discussed the question from the Japanese military commander regarding practical ways the people of Java could organize their strength to be ready for victorious battle.
On the final day, Sukarno made a speech in which he outlined the philosophical basis for the nation, the five principles subsequently known as Pancasila.
The question put by the military commander concerned how to implement the endeavor to motivate every person to direct their energies and undergo training to strengthen their defenses and purify efforts towards the preparation of Indonesian independence as soon as possible.
Therefore, it was almost years after the establishment of the Java Central Advisory Council, when on March 25, 1945, before a similar body was announced for Sumatra, but it did not meet for the first time until the end of June.
[27][28][29][30] The membership was as follows:[31] The Sumatra Central Advisory Council met in Bukitinggi to discuss questions put to it by the Japanese military authorities.
It also passed a number of resolutions, including calling for the establishment of a Sumatran preparatory committee for independence and a 500,000-strong people's army.
The Japanese subsequently announced a Sumatran Investigating Committee for Preparatory Work for Independence chaired by Mohammad Sjafei.